Exercise Device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device includes a central case with a first end and a second end, the first and second end having an outer threaded portion, a friction case clutch configured as a cylinder with a first threaded end and a second open end, and a set of handles. The first threaded end of the friction case clutch attaches to each inner threaded portion of the central case. The handles attach to the friction balls positioned in the friction case clutch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility patent application filed under 35 USC §111 claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 61/759,900 filed on Feb. 1, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The device relates to exercise and fitness products and more particularly to upper body fitness.

BACKGROUND

Exercise equipment is frequently used to develop strength in the upper body, including the wrists and forearms. This equipment includes weights suspended from ropes, compression exercisers such as springs or other resilient materials that can be squeezed in a user's hand, and small bar bells. Much of this equipment is not easily portable.

There are hand and wrist exercisers of the general type which include a pair of hand grips which are mounted generally coaxially to each other and which can be rotated relative to each other against a resistance force. These devices are more lightweight and portable. An exercise routine can be performed to develop forearm muscles by counter-rotating the hand grips against the resistance force. These devices also loosen and stretch the muscles and tendons of the wrists.

Many of these devices do not provide a way to vary the degree of resistance offered the rotation of the hand grips. Consequently, a device that may be suitable for use by one individual may provide resistance forces too large for others. But after a while, the exercise may become too easy.

These devices also typically do not allow exercises in more than one plane and do not allow exercises based on rotational movement.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, an exercise device includes a central case with a first end and a second end, the first and second end having an inner threaded portion and an outer threaded portion, a friction element case configured as a cylinder with a first threaded end and a second open end. The first threaded end attaches to each inner threaded portion of the central case.

A friction ball is housed inside the friction element case and a friction element is positioned between the friction ball and the central case. A friction case clutch is positioned over the friction element case and it is in the shape of a cylinder that tapers from a first threaded end to a narrower open end. The first threaded end of the friction case clutch is attached to the outer threaded portion of the central case such that the friction case clutch encloses the friction element case and rotateably secures the friction ball.

A handle rod is attached to the friction ball, with the handle rod extending out of the open end of the friction element case. A handle assembly is attached to the handle rod.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. For example, the friction case clutch may be rotateably adjustable to press the friction ball against the friction element. The friction element may be a compressible material, such as, for example, a rubber disc.

In one embodiment, the handle assemblies may be opposingly paired along a central axis of the central case. As another feature, the exercise device may have a digital display and an electronics panel that are secured inside a compartment of the central case. A battery may also be connected to the electronics panel. As a further feature, the rotational movement of the handles converts mechanical to electrical energy and stores the energy in the battery of operate the electronics panel.

A pressure sensor may be positioned between the friction element and a circular end wall of the central case. A conductor can be used to connect the electronics panel to the pressure sensor. As another feature, a pair of spacer discs may be positioned on each side of the pressure sensor.

The handle assembly may have a conductive band and the handle rod, friction ball and friction element case may be composed of a conductive material. A conductor may be connected between the electronics panel and the friction element case and another conductor connects the handle rod and the conductive band of the handle. These features allow feedback from the user so that the user's pulse or heart rate can be measured.

An apron may be attached to the central case and may cover the outer threaded portion of the central case and the threaded end of the friction case clutch. The apron protects the threaded portion and the threaded end and gives the exercise device a clean look. The apron may also be interchangeable to add logos, branding, etc.

In another general aspect, an exercise device includes a central case with a first end and a second end, the first and second end having an outer threaded portion, a friction ball inside the friction element case, a friction element between the friction ball and the central case, a friction case clutch configured as a cylinder with a first threaded end and a narrower open end, wherein the first threaded end of the friction case clutch is attached to the outer threaded portion of the central case such that the friction case clutch rotateably secures the friction ball, a handle rod attached to the friction ball, the handle rod extending out of the open end of the friction element case and a handle assembly attached to the handle rod. Embodiments may include one or more of the above or following features.

In still a further general aspect, an exercise device is composed of a central case that includes a first end and a second end, the first and second end having a threaded portion, a circular wall proximate to each of the first end and the second end, a friction element in contact with each circular wall, a friction ball pressed against each friction element, a friction case clutch that houses the friction element and the friction ball, the friction case clutch configured as a cylinder with a first threaded end and an open end, wherein the first threaded end of the friction case clutch is attached to the threaded portion of the central case such that the friction case clutch rotateably secures the friction ball and a handle attached to each friction ball.

Embodiments may include one or more of the above or following features. For example, the friction case clutch may be tapered from the threaded end to a narrower open end to secure the friction element and the friction ball. As another feature, rotation of the friction case clutch in a first direction relative to the central case compresses the friction ball against the friction element and rotation of the friction case clutch in a second direction relative to the central case decompresses the friction ball from the friction element.

The friction element may be a compressible material relative to the friction ball. For example, the friction element may be made of rubber and the friction ball may be made of metal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the assembled exercise device;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded views of the exercise device;

FIG. 4 is a view of the central case with digital display and electronics panel;

FIGS. 5A-5D show various configurations of handle assemblies;

FIG. 6 is a second embodiment of the exercise device;

FIG. 7 is a partial cut-away view of the exercise device;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the first embodiment with shading to provide further detail; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the second embodiment with shading to provide further detail;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the exercise device 10 has a central case 15 and two handle assemblies 20. The handle assemblies 20 can be rotated and moved relative to the central case 15 so a user can develop strength, endurance and dexterity for the upper body, including strength in the hands, wrists and arms.

A friction case clutch 25 can be adjusted to vary the amount force needed to move the handle assemblies 20. For example, clockwise rotation of the friction case clutches 25 increases the amount of force necessary to move the handle assemblies 20 and counterclockwise rotation reduces the amount of force necessary to move the handle assemblies.

A display panel 30 can be used to track various exercise and fitness parameters and to prompt a user to perform a certain exercise routine.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 the central case 15 has a cylindrical shape with interior and exterior threaded portions 35, 40.

A friction element case 45 with a threaded end 50 is secured to the central case 15 by fixing the threaded end 50 to the interior threaded portion 35. The friction element case has a cylindrical shape with a tapered end 50. The friction element case may be made of metal or another type of conductive material.

A friction ball 55 and a friction element 60 are positioned inside the friction element case. The friction element 60 may be a rubber pad that is compressed against the friction ball 55 thereby causing some resistance to the rotation of the friction ball 55. As mentioned above, the friction case clutch 25 can be rotated in one direction to increase the compressive force between the friction element 60 and the friction ball 55 and in the opposite direction to decrease the compressive force between the friction element 60 and the friction ball 55.

An apron 63 is attached to the central case and covers the wide end of the friction case clutch 25. The apron 63 prevents damage to end of the friction case clutch 25 and protects the exterior threaded portion 40 of the central case 15.

A pressure sensor 65 is positioned between a wall 70 of the central case 15 and the friction element 60. Circular discs or spacers 75 are positioned on each side of the pressure sensor 65.

Referring to FIG. 4, a wire 80 connects the pressure sensor 65 to an electronics panel 85. Another wire 90 connects a sensor 95 in the handle assembly to the electronics panel 85. The sensor 95 can be used for measuring parameters such as user pulse rate. The electronics panel controls the functions of the display panel 30 and operation buttons (not shown). A battery 100 is positioned behind or underneath the electronics panel 85.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5D, the handle assemblies 20 can be removed from the central case 15 with a tool 105 that loosens and tightens a clamp 110. The handle assemblies 20 are interchangeable to provide handles with various configurations for different training needs.

Referring to FIGS. 5B and 5C, a wire 115 attaches a sensor band 120 in the handle assembly 20 to a handle rod 125 that attaches to the friction ball 55.

Referring to FIG. 5D, the handle assembly 20 includes a handle base 130 that attaches to the handle rod 125. An interchangeable outer handle 135 is held in place by a handle lock 140.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the exercise device. In the embodiment shown, there is no friction element case inside the friction case clutch 25. Instead, components such as the friction element 60 and the friction ball 55 are held in place by the friction case clutch 25. The embodiment shown in Fig. may or may not have an electronics panels and/or sensors to measure force needed to move the handles.

FIG. 7 shows a partial cut-away view of the exercise device. As shown, the friction ball 55 contacts the friction element 60 which has a circular cut-out to accommodate the shape of the friction ball 55.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are exploded views of the embodiments with shading to illustrate the components. FIG. 8 shows the first embodiment with the friction element case 45 enclosed by the friction case clutch 25. FIG. 9 shows the second embodiment without a friction element case 45. The second embodiment may or may not include items such as pressure sensors.

The variety of exercise routines that can be employed are very flexible based on the needs of the user. The basic initial positions for the exercise device are in front of the body, behind the back, over the head and to the side. Planes of motion of the exercise device can be horizontal, vertical-transversal, vertical-longitudinal and it can also be used in intermediate planes.

Main modes of gripping the handles are with the thumbs turned to the body of the exerciser, with the thumbs turned from the body of the exerciser, and with one thumb turned toward and the other one turned away from the body of the exerciser.

In one of the exercises, the handles are rotated in a vertical plane up-down. The exercise can be performed with the initial position behind the back, overhead, and on the side. The device can be held at the waist, at the breast, at the head level and over the head. Movements can be performed in different planes including horizontal, vertical-transversal and intermediate planes. The exercises may differ in the way the handles are gripped, such as, for example, with thumbs turned to or from the body of the exerciser, with one thumb to and the other away from the body of the exerciser.

The following is a list of exemplary exercises:

-   -   1. Move the exerciser upwards simultaneously rotating the         handles downwards. Get back to the initial position in reverse         order.     -   2. Rotate the handles of the exerciser onwards in a horizontal         plane; simultaneously bring the elbows to the front and then         backwards.     -   3. Rotate the handles of the exerciser onwards in a horizontal         plane; simultaneously bring the elbows to the utmost in front of         yourself and then backwards to the farthest point behind the         back.     -   4. Rotate the handles of the exerciser in a vertical plane         upwards with elbows up and down to the farthest points.     -   5. With one hand gripping the exerciser's body and the other         grasping the handle, rotate the handle in all possible         directions.     -   6. Rotate the handles along their longitudinal axes, perform         movements simulating twisting a wet cloth. Get back to the         initial position in a reverse order.     -   7. With one of the handles firmly fixed to the user's body,         rotate the other handle around and backwards behind the back         together with the exerciser's body, while simultaneously moving         the elbows in the same directions.     -   8. Move the upper handle downwards and the lower handle upwards         in parallel directions.     -   9. With one of the handles firmly fixed to the body, move the         other handle to the right and left in parallel direction.     -   10. With one of the handles firmly fixed to the body move the         other handle up and down, keeping them parallel.     -   11. With arms straightened, move the upper handle downwards and         the lower handle upwards, keeping the handles parallel.     -   12. Move the handles in parallel planes simulating bicycle         pedaling.     -   13. With one of the handles firmly fixed to the user's body,         rotate the other handle simulating brace movement. The handles         should remain parallel.     -   14. Perform a cone-shaped rotation of the handles simultaneously         moving the exerciser's body onwards-backwards.     -   15. With thumbs against the exerciser's body, grip the handles         with the four fingers of both hands and rotate them upwards; get         back to the initial position rotating the exerciser along its         longitudinal axis.     -   16. One hand holds the exerciser's body; the other hand with the         thumb against the body grips the handle with one, two or three         fingers. Rotate the handle upwards; get back to the initial         position, rotating the exerciser along its longitudinal axis.     -   17. One hand holds the exerciser's body and the handle is         located between the fingers of the other hand. While gripping         the handle by the fingers rotate the handle in different         directions.

To accumulate maximum muscle strength from the exerciser, the load offered should be high enough for the athlete to perform 6-12 repetitions of the exercise at a minimum possible rate. To develop power endurance, the number of repetitions should be 20 at a minimum. The load used throughout the exercise should leave the individual with muscle fatigue at the end of the exercise. This regimen can be applied to train the cardiovascular system along with strength training.

To increase speed and strength parameters, exercises should be repeated 6-15 times before upgrading to a higher resistance level. Before upping the resistance level, an individual must be able to rotate the handles at a fast pace at the current resistance setting. Athletes can perform 5-6 sets of every exercise, with 1-3 minute intervals of active rest in between sets.

Rapid progress in strength and endurance can be maximized with systematic use of the exercise device according to the program explained above. Since keeping tracking of training routines and progress results can be complex and time consuming, the on-board electronics panel can store the information so that the user does not have to manually log exercise routines and progress.

The information that is can be displayed and stored includes the amount of force needed to move the handles, the number of repetitions, the user workload, pulse, calories burned, etc. In one embodiment, the display on the exercise device generates a moving image of a person showing how to use the exercise device. In another embodiment, the electronics panel communicates by Bluetooth or other wireless technology to download workout information and to upload exercise routines. 

1. An exercise device, comprising: a central case with a first end and a second end, the first and second end having an outer threaded portion; a friction ball; a friction element in contact with the friction ball and the central case; a friction case clutch configured as a cylinder with a first threaded end and a narrower open end, wherein the first threaded end of the friction case clutch is attached to the outer threaded portion of the central case such that the friction case clutch rotateably secures the friction ball; a handle rod attached to the friction ball, the handle rod extending out of the open end of the friction element case; and a handle assembly attached to the handle rod.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the friction case clutch is rotateably adjustable to press the friction ball against the friction element or to relive pressure between the friction ball and the friction element.
 3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first and second end of the central case further comprise an inner threaded portion and further comprising: a friction element case configured as a cylinder with a first threaded end and a second open end, wherein the first threaded end attaches to each inner threaded portion of the central case.
 4. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the friction element case wherein the second open end is tapered to prevent the friction ball from being removed from the friction element case.
 5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the central case further comprises a cylinder with a circular end wall and the friction element is positioned between the circular end wall and the friction ball.
 6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the central case further comprises a cylindrical body with an inner surface and an outer surface and a circular wall near the first end and the second end to define a recess in which each friction element is positioned.
 7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the friction element comprises a rubber disc.
 8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein: the friction ball comprises a first and second friction ball; the friction element comprises a first and second friction element; the friction case clutch comprises a first and second friction case clutch; handle rod comprises a first and second handle rod; and the handle assembly comprises a first and second handle assembly.
 9. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising: a digital display; and an electronics panel; wherein the digital display and the electronics panel are secured in a compartment of the central case.
 10. The exercise device of claim 9, further comprising: a pressure sensor between the friction element and a circular end wall of the central case; and a conductor between the electronics panel and the pressure sensor via a port in the central case.
 11. The exercise device of claim 10, further comprising: a pair of spacer discs on each side of the pressure sensor.
 12. The exercise device of claim 9, further comprising a battery connected to the electronics panel.
 13. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the handle assembly comprises a conductive band and the handle rod, friction ball and friction element case comprise a conductive material; and further comprising: a conductor between the electronics panel and the friction element case and a conductor between the handle rod and the conductive band of the handle assembly.
 14. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising an apron attached to the central case and covering the outer threaded portion of the central case and the threaded end of the friction case clutch.
 15. An exercise device, comprising: a central case that includes a first end and a second end, the first and second end having a threaded portion and a circular wall proximate to each of the first end and the second end; a friction element positioned against each circular wall; a friction ball adjacent to each friction element; a friction case clutch that houses the friction element and the friction ball, the friction case clutch configured as a cylinder with a first threaded end and an open end, wherein the first threaded end of the friction case clutch is attached to the threaded portion of the central case such that the friction case clutch rotateably secures the friction ball; and a handle attached to each friction ball.
 16. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein the friction case clutch is tapered from the threaded end to a narrower open end to prevent removal of the friction element and the friction ball from the friction case clutch.
 17. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein the open end of the friction case clutch is tapered to prevent the friction ball from being removed from the friction case clutch.
 18. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein rotation of the friction case clutch in a first direction relative to the central case compresses the friction ball against the friction element and rotation of the friction case clutch in a second direction relative to the central case decompresses the friction ball from the friction element.
 19. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein the friction element is a compressible material relative to the friction ball.
 20. An exercise device, comprising: a central case with a first end and a second end, the first and second end each having an inner threaded portion and an outer threaded portion; a friction ball; a friction element in between the friction ball and the central case; a friction element case with a first threaded end and a second open end, wherein the first threaded end of the friction element case attaches to each inner threaded portion of the central case to house the friction element and a portion of the friction ball; a friction case clutch with a first threaded end and a narrower open end, wherein the first threaded end of the friction case clutch is attached to the outer threaded portion of the central case such that the friction case clutch rotateably secures the friction ball; and a handle attached to each friction ball, the handle extending out of the open end of the friction element case; wherein the friction case clutch is rotateably adjustable in one direction to increase compression between the friction ball and the friction element and is rotateably adjustable in a second direction to decrease pressure between the friction ball and the friction element. 